Dolly
Unregistered User
(8/29/03 2:22 pm)

Souviners of Ireland

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Hello-just 2 more days till we leave, I can't believe the time is finally here! Not an earth shattering question but I was wondering what you feel is really worth buying over in Ireland? I realize it's subjective, just wondering what might be a good or special buy, where the best shopping seems to be. Thanks!

DebbieK
Registered User
Posts: 89
(8/29/03 9:52 pm)
 
Re: Souviners of Ireland

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Shopping is great in Ireland.
The selection of sweaters , crystal , linen , etc is fabulous.

On both of my trips to Ireland I have brought back sweaters, from Quills in Sneem, and Waterford crystal.

On my first trip I purchased a Waterford Christmas ornament, which was the first in a series. Now every year , I am so excited to go out and get the next one. It is a great start to the holiday season.

I also try to bring back something from every trip I go on for my running collection of small vases. It is really nice to look back and say - that one is from Waterford, that one from Jerpoint, that one from Mexico. It makes for great conversation.

One other thing I try to bring back is a nice scarf or 2. Either a winter scarf or a dress scarf. (Or as I have done - both from each Ireland trip) This allows me to go back to Ireland in the summer months , in my head/heart, when my big sweaters are not appropriate. They are usually not "irish" scarves - no obvious symbols , but beautiful non-the-less. Just this week I wore one, and a co-worker commented on how pretty it was.

You can't go wrong with anything that grabs your heart there. Everytime you see it, you will go back to Eire.

Dude
Unregistered User
(8/29/03 10:41 pm)
 
Souvenirs

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Don't miss a bit of carved bogwood. One trip I brought a carved cat to a cat-lover friend. This last trip I brought Celtic crosses to both my pastors, and got myself a 6" harp. No touristy shamrocks or claddaghs, and something you won't see anywhere else.

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1804
(8/29/03 10:46 pm)

Re: Souvenirs of Ireland

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Hi Dolly,

Only two more days! You must be getting anxious to be on your way to Ireland. There is a wealth of wonderful things to buy in Ireland.

Some of my favorite souvenirs are things that I paid nothing for: shells and pebbles from beaches; an actual part of Ireland itself. But there is plenty to buy there. Irish linen and lace, crystal, pottery, fine china, Belleek (my personal favorite), jewelry, woolens, books, whiskey or mead, Irish CDs, bronze statues, silver, dolls, Connemara marble products, calendars, note cards with real dried Irish flowers, shamrock seeds, musical instruments, Guinness pint glasses, perfume, candles, chocolates, collectible teapots, paintings, prints, heraldic shields, music boxes...I could go on all night.

If you go to my "Shopping" page you can see photos of some of these products.

One of my favorite shops in Ireland is Quills. They have good prices, excellent quality, a large assortment of items and wonderful service. They also let you choose which currency to put on your credit card (choose euros). www.quillsireland.com/

Enjoy your trip and happy shopping.

Michele

P.S. Don't forget to collect your VAT forms for getting your tax back.

Anita
Unregistered User
(8/30/03 4:19 am)

Musical things!

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I came back with three tin whistles and three CDs of traditional Irish music. Once I spent a little time in various pubs in Ireland I found it was the music that reminded me of everything from the beautiful countyside to the friendly Irish people. I also bought small things from tourist shops like bookmarks with Celtic knot patterns, and shamrocks in plastic with good luck wishes that I gave away to friends. Small crystal or Belleek vases also make wonderful gifts, as do Irish lace doilies, pot pourri holders and kleenex box covers. Mouse pads with all sorts of Irish sayings and Celtic knot patterns are also cheap and easy to pack.

CathyL
Unregistered User
(8/30/03 7:58 am)

Souvenirs...

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From Dublin: All things Guiness

From Dingle: A cape and scarves

From The Burren: Wonderful handmade goatsmilk soaps with Celtic designs and more scarves

From Connemara: The most wonderful memories ever

CathyL
Unregistered User
(8/30/03 8:59 am)

I Forgot...

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Also from Connemara:

The best homemade Orange Marmalade!

garyvol
Unregistered User
(9/2/03 5:41 am)

stuff to buy

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A store (inexpensive)in Killarney had all the key chains displaying a picture of Gap of Dunloe was perfect to give to all my coworkers.
One of the neat things my wife Mary bought was to buy several packs of the beverage furniture saucer protectors (help me if you know what they are called). Anyway, they come with pictures of Dublin, country side and different Castles. So everytime you place your drink down, there is a picture (memory) of the trip.

My prize find was a neck tie that displayed the different signs from the Book of Kells. I found this at Blarney woolen mills in Bunratty. Awesome.

Have a wonderful time.
-gary

Allison
Unregistered User
(9/2/03 7:13 am)

furniture protector thingies

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Hi Gary,

They are called coasters!

I got great Celtic design socks in Blarney Woolen Mill in Bunratty. Found a beautiful shawl in Avoca Handweavers but didn't buy it because it was made in Italy. It will be a long time if ever I get to Italy, so of course, I am kicking myself for not buying it!!

Allison

garyvol
Unregistered User
(9/2/03 9:09 am)
 
coasters

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thank you Allison,
I scare myself sometimes not able to remember such things. Had it on the tip of my tong. I quess that's why we have this chat board to jog our memories.

You could be correct about Italy, the Euro exchange is really turning up the heat against the dollar.


oh well

-gary

DebbieK
Registered User
Posts: 90
(9/2/03 11:32 am)

Re: coasters

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Speaking of Coasters - we found the coolest ones in the Tourist Information shop in Kinsale (you can probably find them other places too.)

They were a set of 8 coasters bound like a small child's book. On the front was a grand picture of Ireland, and on the back was a saying.
One set had different parts of "May the road rise to meet you..."
and the other had humorous Irish proverbs. ( Some of my favorites - "Some men are like bagpipes - they never make a noise till their bellies are full." - and "What butter or whiskey can't cure, there's no cure for").

They are great conversation starters, and worked really nice as a gift for my best friend, to put in her basement bar. ( I kept my set still attached as a book, but you could easily separate them into individual coasters).

They were inexpensive too - around 7euros each set

Edited by: DebbieK at: 9/2/03 11:34 pm


Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1811
(9/2/03 10:17 pm)
 
Re: Coasters

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Hi Gary,

Are you sure you're not just playing your continuing role as court jester? I had a good laugh over the coasters on the tip of your tongue.

And for everyone that wants more free stuff: collect the coasters at pubs as you travel around. Just ask the publican if s/he has a few you can have. Before you know it you will have a collection of various genuine pub coasters!

My thanks to everyone who has added to this very interesting discussion.

Michele

garyvol
Unregistered User
(9/3/03 8:44 am)

for laughs

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Glad you caught that.
Yep, just trying to be a loyal subject for the Queens royal court.

-gary

gharborwa
Registered User
Posts: 11
(9/3/03 3:18 pm)
 
souvenirs - flags

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Just wondering if Irish Flags are easily available

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1817
(9/3/03 11:48 pm)
 
Re: souvenirs - flags

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Hi gharborwa,

You should have no problems finding an Irish flag.

Michele

cjmford
Unregistered User
(9/8/03 11:46 pm)

Souvenirs

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Mine are always memories and pictures, but here are a few things that I think make nice Irish souvenirs(sp?).

Connemara Marble - we never saw Connemara Marble any other place we went afterwe left the Connemara. We picked up a dozen wondeful cheese knives with marble handles in beautiful satin lined boxes with a phamplet telling the story of Connemara Marble, and plan on giving them out as Christmas gifts. There were less than 20 Euro each. Just remember to pack them in your checked luggage and not in your back pack (like I did - duh!) for the trip home.

We picked up a brochure on the Dingle Peninsula and, when we got home, ordered an 18" handmade Boudrin with a handpainted family crest to hang on our wall. I will remind us of newly found relatives, the wonderful spontaneous music we listened to in the pubs and will no doubt raise questions from friends that we will be all too happy to answer.

My husband collects unusual maps of places we've been to and he bought a 5 X 7 embossed map of old Ireland that he will frame.

Posters of artwork from the Books of Kells. Inexpensive, easy to carry - several will roll in one tube and beautiful art and conversation pieces when framed.

Holy Water from the Shrine at Knock - my most unusual and sought-after item. And free except for the little bottles I purchased - 7 for 1 Euro. With the little cards that tell the story of the apparition, they are special for religious friends and relatives.

Irish linen - a beautiful nightgown is a treat, and the little draw-string sachet holders make a nice inexpensive gift for friends. A christening bonnet for a(n Irish) baby- to-be can be special.

An Irish football (for a young or old sports enthusiast). We got caught up in the Gaelic football semi finals that were going on while we were there. Slightly bigger than American footballs and very colorful- ours is green and white with a shamrock and the words Ireland - about $15 euro. Not too easy to pack though, unless you can get one deflated.

Tee shirts from pubs visited, especially ones with Gaelic names. We found thenm everywhere we went. Some were very nice - between 10-15 Euro.


Chris